Good afternoon.
The introductions have already been made, so I won't repeat them. I'm here today on behalf of the Coalition pour la dignité des aînés, a group of six associations representing over 150,000 seniors. My colleagues Lise Lapointe and Pierre Lynch, whose associations have already been mentioned, are here with me. They can answer your questions.
We're here to advocate for the priorities that seniors widely agree on.
The pandemic's toll has been particularly hard on the members of our associations. During this period, a number of them have experienced physical and mental health issues, but also significant financial pressure. The pandemic, coupled with a lack of action prior to this period, has left many seniors in a vulnerable situation.
The lack of health transfers to the provinces has resulted in an under‑funded health care system. The impact on seniors' care is felt on a daily basis.
The coalition believes that increased health transfers to the provinces are necessary to improve the living conditions of seniors. Only 25% of the money allocated to long‑term care is spent on home support. Only 3% of seniors in Quebec live in long‑term care facilities. The rest live at home or in seniors' residences. In Quebec, 18% of seniors live in seniors' residences, compared to 6% in the rest of Canada. Seniors deserve more and better than this.
The past year's crisis has also affected the mental health of seniors. The plight of long‑term care facilities and fears about the spread of COVID‑19 have isolated the most vulnerable seniors and led to greater anxiety issues. A number of seniors are suffering from real mental health issues. Services are very difficult to access through the public system and very expensive in the private sector.
The coalition is also very concerned about the financial situation of seniors.
In its latest budget, the government announced a 10% increase in old age security benefits starting in summer 2022, along with a one‑time cheque for $500 for people aged 75 and over. This isn't enough. It covers only a portion of vulnerable seniors. Nearly four out of ten people aged 65 and over rely on the guaranteed income supplement to make ends meet. These people deserve the same consideration as people aged 75 and over. The increase provided by the government must also be available to people aged 65 and over.
The income of a person aged 65 and over who just receives the old age security pension and the guaranteed income supplement amounts to only $18,000. This amount is well below the adequate income threshold. Moreover, there are people who receive only a pension that doesn't fully meet their needs.
We suggest that you establish a new financial allocation geared directly towards seniors who don't have enough income to live on.
The coalition is also proposing that you improve the medical expense tax credit and lower the eligibility threshold from 3% to 1.5% of the income for people aged 65 and over.
The government must do more to provide a decent income for seniors.
The benefits of these types of measures would be felt across the country and would have a positive impact on both the living conditions of seniors and the economy. Government investments in improving living conditions would be redistributed throughout the Canadian economy and would promote an economic recovery that includes seniors.
As you can see in its document entitled “38 solutions for the dignity of seniors,” the coalition provides many concrete and easy‑to‑implement proposals.
We're ready, and my colleagues in particular are ready, to answer your questions. Thank you.